The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-05
SAM HoUsToNs STORY.
Recent Explanation of His Leaving
Tennessee Corrected.

Tennessee Corrected.
Hartford Comm Special to the Brooklyn Citizen.
The story recently published to explain
Sam Houston's leaving his wife in Tennes
see and living among the Indians has calleC
forth correction from the the Times o
this city.
The story in question started out Will
the statement that the blank in Houston,
life had at last been filled. Houston, after
living for some time among the Cherokee
Indians and fighting in the war of 1872
settled Ill Tennessee, began to practice
law, was twice elected to Congress, and il
1927 was elected Governor OF Tennessee
and in January, 1899, he was married &c
the belle OF Tennessee, and in less thar
six months after his marriage he suddenly
resigned the governorship, deserted his
wife and home and disappeared. Thi.
created an intense sensation throughout
the country, as Houston was regarded q!
the most promising man in the south.
Then the explanation was given on the
authority OF the staff correspondent OF the
81. Louis Republican, who was sent tC
Tahlequah, l. T., TO write up the lndiAp
troubles and who was represented us hay
ing there obtained from undoubted au
thority facts that clear up this mystery
When Houston resigned the goyernorshiI
he rode straight from Tennessee's capita
TO the Arkansas river. Tic fell in with Q
band OF Usage Indians, near the present
site Of Fort Gibson, told them he wanted
TO live with the tribe, and he was wei
coined. lie donned a breech clout and
blanket, shaved his head to the crown
and daubed his face with paint. He cut
himself off entirely from civilization and
lived with the Indians. For a time he was
a leader and married an Indian girl, but
aherward he became n drunkard. When
under the influence OF whisky he told the
story OF his flight from Tennessee to John
farley, an Indian companion. farley told
1t to Wolf Star, and from the latter the
Correspondent got it. Houston's wife
married him 10 please her parents. She
had been previously engaged to n young
man in Nashville, but, under parental
influence, broke off the engagement and
accepted Houston's offer Of marriage, and,
in view Of his prospects, it was thought
that she had made brilliant match. lie
loved the young woman and was made "a
believe that she returned his affections.
Houston had no knowledge OF the previous
engagement, and his wife managed 10
maintain outward chcerfulness for some
time. lie returned homo one night about
| ii o'clock and his wife was in bed and
weeping. The husband was solicitous and
the wife fretful. He asked what caused
her tears, and she gave no satisfactory
answer. lie continued importuning her,
and at last she told him. She said she was
bad, wicked woman that she did not
love her husband, but loved another man;
that she never could love her husband or
forget the other man, and that her life was
miserable. She confessed that for some
time before she had been engaged 10 marry
Houston she had maintained illicit rela-
tons with the other man. Houston never
said word, but Immediately went 10 his
Office, wrote his resignation us Governor.
saddled his horse and rode into the wilder
ness. This Is the mystery OF Sam Hous-
toms life, as revealed by himself. Houston
kept little store among the Indians, and
always had barrel OF whisky on tap. lie
drank all the time. In this way he lived
a couple OF years, till he finally went TO
Texas, where his brilliant career as sol
der in the Texas war, as president OF the
Texas republic, and senator from the State
Of Texas is well known.
This is the 81. Louis story. Now comes
the Times and says II Is not correct; and
then states that the senior editor OF the
Times, in company with Edward 4. Cleve-
land, heard from Gen. Houston's own lips,
In the year 1856, all that he had ever said,
and all that he ever would say 10 any liv-
ing being las he averred) In regard TO his
separation from his wife.
Gen. Houston was chosen Governor OF
Tennessee in August, 1927. In January,
1929, he was married, when he was still
Governor. lie did not live with his wife
six months, n above reported. "Thc day
after We were married" said Gen. Hous-
ton, I'VE had friendly talk, and both OF
US concluded We had better separate.
There was not the least III feeling between
MS. A more honorable lady never lived,
and have never ceased 10 respect and
honor her; and | have reason 20 believe
that she has ever entertained similar feel
ings toward me-" Both were entirely
satisfied with the mutual arrangements
made for the separation. Each agreed
never 10 coniido 90 anyone the special and
actual cause which led them 20 separate.
The entire term Of their separation a.
husband and wife was but twenty-four
hours.
Upon this novel termination OF his mar
riRgc relations Gen. Houston felt that he
must leave his high official position and
the circle Of his many friends, who would
wonder nj his strange course and impor.
tune him with too many questions. lie at
once resigned his Office Of Governor, and
without delay proceeded 10 60 beyond the
society Of civilized life. Why did he 20
among the Chcrokccs2
Atthe age OF eighteen years, not being
able 90 pursue classical studies, as he de-
sired 20 do, he left school, crossed the Ten
nesscc river, and lived with the Indians
about three years. lie was tall and mus
cular, good hunter, and he soon became
q layorie with the Indians. One III the
chiefs adopted him as his son. This was
about the year 1911. Houston was born
In March, i1p3. lie finally returned home,
taught school a short time, and in 1918 en-
listed In the army. the country then being
II WARMTH Great Britain. lie fought under
jackson, nt the battle OF Great bend,
March 25, 1914, and was wounded. lie was
promoted 10 he lieutenant. In 1917 he
was appointed an Indian agent TO carry
out a treaty with the Cherokecs, and he
escorted an Indian delegation 10 Washing.
ton. In 1918 lac began 10 study the law nj
Nashville, was afterwards admitted 10 the
bar. was appointed District Attorney, made
Acknowledgement OF the State, then Major
General, aud in 1927 was chosen Governor.
Separating from his wife No suddenly,
he concluded 10 60 among his old friends,
the Chorokccs. lie presented himself TO
the old chief Who had formerly adopted
him a. his son, was cordially received
and admitted 20 all the rights and priyi-
lcgus Of the Cherokee nation. Three years
later he wcut TO Washington 20 rcinon.
stratc against the frauds that were prac.
,iecd anon the Indiana and ha Ill a.,